By Miriam Humbe
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained momentum of operations across the various geopolitical zones in the country with consistent efforts made to deny terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners and other criminal elements freedom of action between 15 – 22 October 2026.
Major General Michael Onoja, the Director Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters Abuja disclosed this on Friday in the weekly press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the 15-22 October period.
The DDMO said in the course of the week, troops rescued over 70 abducted and kidnapped victims, including 27 villagers freed at Gamji in Katsina State and 29 farmers rescued in Mariga, Niger State and also recovered Ten Million Naira (₦10,000,000) suspected to be ransom payment in Kano State.
Additionally, troops arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin in Mokwa, Niger State, as well as five members of the syndicate responsible for abducting prospective corps members in Imo State.
Here’s a full text of the briefing:
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
In the North East geopolitical zone, troops sustained offensive operations against terrorists across Borno and Yobe States, consolidating the gains of recent engagements.
Following the terrorist attack on troops’ location at Mairari in Guzamala LGA of Borno State, troops conducted clearance operations from 16 – 18 October 2026.
The operations led to the capture of eight AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 300 rounds of PKT ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenade bombs and chargers, a handheld radio and a motorcycle.
On 18 October 2026, troops intercepted a resident of Monguno LGA who had escaped after being kidnapped alongside 11 others around Minati in Kukawa LGA on 17 October 2026. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims.
Similarly, on 22 October 2026, troops intercepted an abductee who had escaped from Chikide Village on the Mandara Mountains along the Guduf-Bubayagwa axis in Gwoza LGA. The individual was subsequently handed over to the IDP Camp Office in Gwoza.
Troops also recorded sustained surrenders and arrests during the period. On 16 October 2026, troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and collaborators at Benisheikh Market in Kaga LGA of Borno State.
On 17 October 2026, a suspected terrorist, who claimed to have been recruited through a social media group in 2024, surrendered to local security groups at Buni Gari in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. On the same day, troops arrested suspected terrorist collaborators at Kanama in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State.
Further arrests were made in Damboa on 19 October 2026. The suspects were reportedly supplying clothing materials for terrorists’ uniforms in the Maidaji and Multe camps.
Between 16 and 22 October 2026, a total of 19 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to, or were intercepted by, troops in Bama, Konduga, Mafa and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State.
They cited hunger, hardship and violent clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for fleeing the terrorist camps. On 22 October 2026, troops also arrested a female collaborator at Ngurusoye in Bama LGA of Borno State while she was escorting a woman to a terrorist enclave.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
In the North West geopolitical zone, troops sustained offensive operations against terrorism and banditry across Kano, Katsina and Sokoto States.
On 15 October 2026, troops continued clearance operations following an earlier encounter at Waria Forest and engaged terrorists at Sarma Village in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State.
Subsequent exploitation of the area revealed an additional neutralised terrorist as troops captured six motorcycles and two AK-47 rifles, bringing the total number of AK-47 rifles captured during the operation to four.
Troops also captured several rifle magazines, 23 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and a handheld radio.
On 16 October 2026, troops engaged terrorists on three motorcycles at Kurba Village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State and captured one of the motorcycles.
Troops also recorded successful rescue operations in the geopolitical zone. On 16 October 2026, troops responded to a distress call from Gamji Community in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State where terrorists had abducted 27 locals, comprising 15 men and 12 women.
Troops engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, thereby forcing them to flee.
The engagement led to the rescue of all 27 victims, who were subsequently handed over to the village head after profiling. It was confirmed that many of the terrorist suffered gun shot wounds before fleeing. Between 16 – 17 October 2026, troops tracked kidnappers who had demanded ransom for a resident abducted at Fanyabo Village in Tudun Wada LGA of Kano State, to Yan Taburmi in Falgore Forest.
Troops neutralised two of the kidnappers and rescued the victim. Troops searched the area and recovered Ten Million Naira (₦10,000,000.00) suspected to be the ransom paid by the family.
Subsequently, troops handed over the money and the victim to the family in the presence of the District Head, the Head of the Local Security Group in the area and the Divisional Police Officer.
On 18 October 2026, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator at Anguwan Kwanni in Sokoto town.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE sustained operations in Plateau State to protect communities and prevent violence.
On 20 October 2026, troops conducted clearance operations at a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Bangai Fulani Hamlet, Riyom LGA, engaging the kidnappers, who fled into the surrounding high ground.
The operation resulted in the rescue of two persons who had been kidnapped on 18 October 2026 while travelling to Jos and the arrest of three suspects, one of whom was identified as a logistics supplier.
The rescued victims were subsequently reassured, and their families were contacted.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD sustained operations against terrorism and kidnapping in Niger State.
On 15 October 2026, troops deployed in Bangi responded swiftly to a distress call concerning terrorists on seven motorcycles attempting to abduct farmers at Magaji Mai Kadarko Village, Bangi District, in Mariga LGA.
The troops rescued 29 residents who had fled into nearby bushes. However, one resident was reportedly killed by the terrorists before the troops arrived.
Subsequently, on 18 October 2026, troops arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin and his accomplice at the kingpin’s residence in Mokwa town, Niger State.
The troops recovered four mobile handsets and an undisclosed sum of cash. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other identified accomplices.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
In the North Central geopolitical zone, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained operations against kidnapping, banditry and arms trafficking in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States, resulting in timely rescues.
On 16 October 2026, troops ambushed kidnappers moving victims from Kwara State into Kogi State along the route between Okoloke and Isanlu-Esa communities in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State.
The kidnappers were forced to abandon five victims, who were subsequently rescued and handed over to community leaders. On 17 October 2026, troops, in collaboration with local security groups, rescued a herder kidnapped at Kabusu in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.
The victim was found tied up and abandoned under a tree along the Gurku-Kawu grazing route. On 19 October 2026, troops pursued attackers who had assaulted a commercial bus along the Ayere-Kabba Road in Ijumu LGA of Kogi State, forcing them to withdraw and rescuing 11 passengers.
The driver and two other passengers who sustained injuries were evacuated for medical attention. Also, on 19 October 2026, troops raided the hideout of the second-in-command of a gang leader terrorising the area at Kufai Ahmadu Community in Takum LGA of Taraba State.
During the operation, troops neutralised the suspect and captured a pistol, 16 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and charms.
In related operations, troops disrupted arms trafficking and kidnapping networks across the theatre.
On 19 October 2026, troops arrested a wanted gunrunner and militia leader at Jape Village in Vandeikya LGA of Benue State.
On 20 October 2026, troops arrested a suspected arms dealer in Jalingo, Taraba State, in connection with the attempted sale of 200 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
The suspect subsequently disclosed the location of three AK-47 rifles. On 21 October 2026, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Kala in Lankaviri, Yorro LGA of Taraba State.
Subsequently, other members of a kidnapping syndicate operating with six AK-47 rifles were arrested.
On 22 October 2026, troops raided the residence of another militia leader at Abako in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State, after which the militia’s den was destroyed.
Also, on 22 October 2026, two suspects were arrested at Kwarra in Keana LGA of Nasarawa State in connection with a kidnapping incident reported earlier that day. Security agencies are monitoring the situation to maintain peace within the community.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE10.
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations against kidnapping in Edo State.
On 20 October 2026, troops carried out offensive operations against suspected kidnappers at Amendokhian Forest in Esan North East LGA of Edo State, neutralising one of the suspects.
Troops then confiscated a pump-action rifle with six live cartridges.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
In the South East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against kidnapping syndicates and secessionist elements across Anambra and Imo States.
On 16 October 2026, a joint security team arrested five suspects during sustained efforts to track members of a criminal syndicate involved in the kidnapping of 20 prospective corps members.
The operation was conducted in the Irete/Orogwe area of Owerri West LGA, Imo State, and led to the confiscation of three AK-47 rifles, one English pistol and 81 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
In Anambra State, troops responded to a distress call from a local security group in Anambra following a suspected secessionist attack on its personnel at Udoka Layout Gate, Nsugbe Abata, in Anambra East LGA.
The attack left one local security group member unconscious. Troops pursued the fleeing suspects, forcing them to abandon a bus and escape in another vehicle.
The abandoned bus, bearing the inscription of an anti-touting squad, was seized alongside one pump-action gun and five cartridges.
CONCLUSION
The AFN’s sustained operations between 15 and 22 October 2026 reflect enhanced collaboration with other security agencies.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, on behalf of the AFN, commended the resilience of troops across all theatres of operations, particularly their efforts in rescuing the 27 villagers in Gamji and the 29 farmers in Mariga, recovering the ransom in Falgore Forest, and sustaining the steady flow of surrenders in the North East.
These achievements demonstrate that terrorists are being squeezed from all sides.
The CDS urges troops to remain disciplined, uphold the rules of engagement, respect human rights at all times and guard against complacency, as a cornered adversary remains dangerous.
He also commends other security agencies for their collaboration and appreciates the media for its reportage, urging continued caution and verification, particularly in reporting sensitive communal issues, to avoid inflaming tensions.
Furthermore, he appeals to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to report threats promptly, reject mob action and refrain from providing safe haven for criminals. He warns terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners that they will be pursued and apprehended wherever they may be hiding.
The AFN remains focused on sustaining this operational tempo until peace and security are restored across the nation.
